Story perspectives

Elif Eralp Wins Berlin Vote, Promises €20B Flat Expropriation

By Drooid · Sep 22, 2026, 4:10 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Elif Eralp won Berlin’s state election, positioning her to become governing mayor.
Eralp pledged to expropriate over 200,000 corporate-owned flats, estimating a €20 billion cost.
She would be Die Linke’s first mayor and Berlin’s first mayor of Turkish descent and a woman of colour.
Coalition talks with the Greens and SPD are required because Die Linke lacks a majority.
Eralp pledged to protect Jewish life after Jewish leaders warned of antisemitism in Die Linke.

History

Historical Context

The push by Die Linke’s Elif Eralp to expropriate over 200,000 corporate-owned flats echoes Berlin’s long-standing housing activism, from the 2015 “Mietenvolksentscheid” rent referendum to the 2021 vote that approved expropriation of 243,000 apartments with 57.6% support. That referendum spurred a 13-member commission, a 2025 draft targeting 220,000 units, and the 2026 Socialization Framework Act, showing how historic tenant movements shape today’s debate over public ownership.

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Story summary

Elif Eralp won Berlin’s state election, positioning her to become governing mayor.
Eralp pledged to expropriate over 200,000 corporate-owned flats, estimating a €20 billion cost.
She would be Die Linke’s first mayor and Berlin’s first mayor of Turkish descent and a woman of colour.
Coalition talks with the Greens and SPD are required because Die Linke lacks a majority.
Eralp pledged to protect Jewish life after Jewish leaders warned of antisemitism in Die Linke.

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